Regional councils call for country airports fund

South Australia's country mayors have called on the Federal Government to set up a fund to help run regional airports.

The SA Regional Organisation of Councils says the Government should give $5 million a year to regional councils that manage an airport.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Jayne Bates says some councils cannot afford to keep up with pressures such as the need to land larger planes or an increasing number of fly-in, fly-out mine workers.

"So this sort of funding would allow the airports to improve their capacity and their visitation and keep their security measures up to date, so that we don't lose the opportunity of that safety and economic and social development we need," she said.

She says any money towards the operation of the state's regional airports would be greatly appreciated.